Scientists sail into a bloom of salps off Tasmania
Scientists on CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator encountered this bloom of salps during an underwater camera survey of marine life off SE Australia. The salps were spotted near surface waters as the camera – called a Deep Towed Camera – was being recovered back onto the ship at the end of the survey (which was being conducted at night in Bass Strait near Flinders Island).
Salps are a gelatinous zooplankton that may be found as solitary individuals or in large chains (colonies). While resembling jellyfish, salps are more closely related to humans than jellyfish. Salps have an incredible growth rate and can form huge chains of clones that then break up, with each salp giving rise to a new colony of salps.
They’re also important in moving carbon into the deep ocean via their heavy, carbon-filled fecal pellets (poops) and carcasses when they die. Scientists are uncertain what causes these blooms of salps and the research on this voyage may offer clues to help scientists unravel the mystery.
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